Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
A MOUNT Gambier business leader has called on residents to support regional retailers as online shopping figures soar in the Blue Lake city.
Figures released by Australia Post show online purchases in the Blue Lake city jumped 23pc last financial year, which was double the 11.5pc national average.
ContiData shows 43pc of purchases were fashion items and 30pc were outdoor recreational, sporting and camping equipment.
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Lynette Martin called on people to consider the impact on the economy and jobs when they purchased online goods.
Conceding some items might not be available in Mount Gambier, she urged people to support local business to minimise the impact of online shopping.
“People need to think about where the money is going and the impact on local business,” Ms Martin said.
She warned if online shopping growth continued the city’s business community could be eroded.
“Local businesses are the fabric that creates Mount Gambier and its economy – people need to support the local business community wherever possible, ” Ms Martin said.
“Where are people going to get the money to spend online if they don’t have a job? I really encourage people to think about this carefully.”
Ms Martin claimed many retailers were already feeling the impact of the community’s rising online shopping habits.
“Some businesses have the opportunity to combine online with their bricks and mortar, which is a great outcome for them,” she said.
“Where possible, businesses do have to do that.”
Ms Martin said she was particularly concerned with the arrival of international online shopping giant Amazon in Australia.
“If you took all the businesses away from Mount Gambier, what would there be and what would happen.”
Mount Gambier retailer Chris Ind – who operates Anvil Electronics – revealed online shopping was having a “high impact” on the city’s retail economy.
“There are a lot of people who do look outside of Mount Gambier to make purchases for many reasons, which include price and availability,” Mr Ind said.
In regards to hobby purchases that were a growing online trend, Mr Ind said the city previously no longer had stand-alone dedicated toy stores.
Mr Ind said his store had seen an opportunity to tap into that market in Mount Gambier.
“My message will people will look local first and if it is available locally, generally the local retailer is competitive on price when you take into consideration freight charges and time issues,” he said.
“It is important this money is shared given locals employ locals – if the local businesses are not open any more, they don’t employ our children and they don’t have a job.
“If everybody buys online, we are not going to have a future for our children in Mount Gambier.”
While he wanted people to give “locals a go”, he said it was also important for businesses to embrace online platforms.
“To help counteract online shopping, we now run a click and collect online store,” Mr Ind said.
He also encouraged shoppers to ask if a retailer could order an item before heading online.
Australia Post’s ecommerce and international general manager Ben Franzi said Mount Gambier residents had “embraced” online shopping.
“Locals love fashion, with purchases jumping 43pc,” Mr Franzi said.
“Mount Gambier residents also have a passion for the outdoors, with recreational goods, such as sporting and camping equipment, experiencing good growth at 30pc.
“In fact, we are predicting further growth in that category, which also includes musical instruments, in Mount Gambier.”
Mr Franzi said the main factors fuelling online shopping growth were choice and convenience.
“Online shopping gives residents access to retailers and brands they may not be able to source locally and the ability to shop at a time that suits them,” he said.
